“If there is a way to structure it, then finally the tournament is held with the general public. This is definitely the first prize. But if that doesn’t happen, well, let’s play cricket.

“I think if you reach a T20 World Cup and it feels too bad to be able to play behind closed doors; it’s depressing enough for everything.”

Ford thinks countries like Ireland, which will have to go through the first round to reach the Super 12, where Australia, Holder West Indies and England will enter, will suffer the most as a result of disrupted preparations.

Ireland have already seen it due to a tour of Zimbabwe in April and have postponed the seven-match series against Bangladesh scheduled for this month.

“Over the years, I felt we could make a huge improvement in our cricket because our program was really exciting,” Ford added.

“All this cricket could have improved our young boys a lot and we would have given a lot of great gifts to those cricketers as soon as we reached the World Cup.

“Unfortunately, this is not happening, so it has made the challenge so big.

“I think on the other hand, some of the top teams, some of their gun players haven’t played cricket for a while, if they work that way.

“I think it could be easier for Steve Smith or someone to start his game than our 20-year-old, so it’s a bit of a hassle.

“We will stand up to this challenge from the commitment of trying to do what I saw the Irish character and what happened and their do-it-yourself attitude.”